Air New Zealand and SYNTHONY Revolutionize Air Travel with World-First Inflight Concert Featuring Kiwi Talent at Thirty Thousand Feet

Published on December 9, 2025

On Thursday, 4 December, a sold-out experience took flight, uniting Kiwi artistry with a flight full of fans for an extraordinary high-altitude celebration of music, creativity, and connection. This special event, created in partnership with Duco Events’ SYNTHONY, exemplified New Zealand’s growing commitment to showcasing local talent on the world stage. What started as an idea at local stages in New Zealand has blossomed into a global phenomenon. This flight marked a significant milestone in the evolution of SYNTHONY, with a unique collaboration that brought Kiwi fans and talent together for an unforgettable moment in the sky.

In-Flight Concert: A First of Its Kind

The flight transformed the cabin into a concert venue in the clouds, offering an experience typically reserved for festival grounds. Guests were treated to a full SYNTHONY performance, featuring a line-up of renowned New Zealand artists. Shapeshifter’s P Digsss, the iconic DJ Dick Johnson, and powerhouse vocalist Emily Williams delivered memorable live performances, filling the cabin with energy and excitement.

Adding to the uniqueness of the event, instrumentalists Lewis McCallum and Matthew Ottignon appeared mid-flight, playing saxophone, flute, and clarinet, creating live orchestra moments that are a hallmark of the SYNTHONY experience. These musical interludes elevated the concert to new heights, literally and figuratively.

The success of this in-flight concert was made possible by extensive testing and innovative transmission technology, which allowed live entertainment to be delivered to the passengers at 30,000 feet—a world-first in inflight entertainment. This breakthrough technology ensured a seamless performance, transforming the aircraft into a mobile concert hall.

A Proud Partnership

Air New Zealand’s Chief Customer and Digital Officer, Jeremy O’Brien, expressed the airline’s pride in the event’s success. He highlighted how the flight showcased the power of connection, bringing together Kiwi artistry, a homegrown concept, and an audience ready for something truly extraordinary. The flight sold out in just six hours, proving the immense demand for such once-in-a-lifetime experiences.

O’Brien emphasized the airline’s pride in supporting SYNTHONY as it takes New Zealand’s creativity to the global stage. He noted that the energy on board demonstrated the positive response customers have when offered truly unique travel experiences. This collaboration is a testament to the potential of combining creativity with aviation to deliver something special for passengers.

SYNTHONY’s Journey to New Heights

Duco Events’ CEO, Craig Cotton, reflected on the significance of the flight for the SYNTHONY experience. He described the event as a highlight for the company and a defining moment in SYNTHONY’s journey. Cotton recognized Air New Zealand’s pivotal role in elevating the entire experience, not just through transportation, but by enhancing the concert atmosphere with innovative in-flight entertainment. He praised the partnership between the two brands for backing creativity, innovation, and the showcasing of Kiwi talent to a global audience.

A Full Circle Moment

SYNTHONY co-founder and Air New Zealand pilot, Captain David Elmsly, shared his emotions about seeing the concept of SYNTHONY take flight—literally. Elmsly explained that when SYNTHONY was first created, he never imagined it would evolve into an inflight experience. To see the concept come alive in the sky, with passengers dancing, smiling, and enjoying every moment, was a deeply special moment for him. Elmsly considered the event a full-circle moment, showcasing the extraordinary things that can happen when creativity and aviation come together.

An Unforgettable Finale

The celebration continued after the flight, with passengers heading to the iconic Sydney Opera House forecourt for an unforgettable evening of SYNTHONY. This event marked a fitting conclusion to the one-of-a-kind experience, blending both music and creativity in the air and on the ground. It was a testament to the power of collaboration and the limitless possibilities of creative partnerships in the travel industry.

SYNTHONY’s inflight concert was not just an innovative musical experience; it was a celebration of New Zealand’s unique culture, creativity, and talent, bringing Kiwi artistry to a global audience. With its success, this event will undoubtedly inspire future collaborations between the worlds of aviation, music, and entertainment.

[Image Credit: Air New Zealand]